Musa basjoo, commonly known as Japanese Banana or Japanese Fibre Banana, is an evergreen perennial herb originally from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China. It thrives in subtropical conditions and is often found in mountainous regions, growing along streams and in areas with moist, well-drained soil. This species reaches approximately 2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft) in height with trunk-like pseudostems and a crown of mid-green leaves that can grow up to 2 m (6.6 ft) long and 70 cm (28 in) wide when mature. The Japanese Banana produces both male and female flowers on the same inflorescence, which may extend over 1 m (3.3 ft). The yellow-green banana fruits are small, about 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long, and contain many black seeds, making them inedible.

The Japanese Banana is valued for its lush, tropical foliage and is often used in gardens as an ornamental plant. Its ability to resprout from the rhizome after the pseudostem is damaged by frost makes it surprisingly hardy for a tropical plant, allowing it to be grown in regions with colder climates, such as USDA zone 6a. It requires full sun and medium water, and can adapt to a range of soil drainage conditions. While it is not typically grown for its fruit, its aesthetic appeal makes it a popular choice for creating a tropical ambiance in temperate gardens.CC BY-SA 4.0